tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post1098315671343814675..comments2023-09-10T00:13:40.861+03:00Comments on everyone needs a little Grace in their lives: You don't know how good you've got it, Middle Class America.Amy Medinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02445986974714298954noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-70643868168239770882014-04-10T03:34:25.935+03:002014-04-10T03:34:25.935+03:00We are mostly blessed here, but somehow I didn'...We are mostly blessed here, but somehow I didn't see what is easier or better about other places than here. You don't have to worry about GMO and non organic food causing all kinds of diseases and horrible pain people are living in because of it. You also have the blessing of a full time maid doing all your laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc. For those of us who are doing it all by themselves day after day with 4 little ones, it can be a little disheartening to read of missionaries having enough to pay a full time maid and get to enjoy doing a lot more with their life than housework.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-49445926242310069512013-07-14T19:30:41.277+03:002013-07-14T19:30:41.277+03:00When I read a post I pray and ask the Lord to show...When I read a post I pray and ask the Lord to show me His wisdom in it. And because I trust His will in my life I know I'm not reading it by mistake or for no reason. He brought me here for a reason. I do believe strongly that the North American church is walking a tight rope of disobedience. I am on that same tight rope and constantly pursuing all that God can show me to jar me to the balance of pursuing Him fully through such an abundance of wealth and security that our society has avtendency to esteems sometimes above what God would have us do with those blessings. I wonder if one day my fat 401k will matter not to God over how many people I could have fed with that money and to be honest it scares me to the core. Thank you for your heartfelt words. I felt conviction but not criticism. It's for each of us to walk through on our own and encourage each other transparently and sincerely. I do not feel guilty about having a choice of cream cheese but I do feel conviction in not fully understanding what a really huge blessing that choice is. Simply an analogy. Many blessings and of course that you recognize them and do what the Lord would have you do with them. Desperately.seeking.jesusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-89725206684048994152013-07-10T06:19:26.567+03:002013-07-10T06:19:26.567+03:00Well said. It's obvious that not every middle...Well said. It's obvious that not every middle-class North American would fit every single one of your descriptions but there is still much truth. Truth is sometimes painful for me but it's still true. Thanks for the good reminder.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06289405384369990678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-48032722558946170632013-07-09T23:22:16.593+03:002013-07-09T23:22:16.593+03:00Thank you for the reminder! Seriously. Many of us ...Thank you for the reminder! Seriously. Many of us really need to hear this and I thank you for your courage to say it.Annehttp://www.twitter.com/annedyenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-2119394784982360402013-07-08T21:27:02.202+03:002013-07-08T21:27:02.202+03:00*NOT easy*NOT easyjustin the lesserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16585896932756456465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-45503774762643304292013-07-08T21:26:18.557+03:002013-07-08T21:26:18.557+03:00While I agree that all Middle Class Americans'...While I agree that all Middle Class Americans' lives are easy for that in itself presents a whole different set of problems; such as greed, materialism, ungratefulness, etc. I still am always amazed and even shamed by how grateful those people are who do not have these same privileges Americans enjoy and are yet so full of gratitude for the little God has given them in comparison. It could also be said, to much Grace is given much gratitude is given back. And those who have been forgiven much (their greed, materialism, selfishness, pride, self-sufficiency, mistreatment of others, etc.); much Grace flows out of their hearts into the lives of other wretched people because they have found the life-giving, joy filled, eternal reward of knowing Christ. And when it comes to sin we are all great debtors who all need that divine Grace, completely undeserved, that flows from the Cross. Thank you for this vivid reminder of God's mercy to us.justin the lesserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16585896932756456465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-77168918881998684542013-07-08T21:04:21.533+03:002013-07-08T21:04:21.533+03:00The truth is we are not on a level playing field. ...The truth is we are not on a level playing field. Yes, those who have much are required to be generous, but that doesn't mean our lives are all roses and giggles. I'm kind of tired of the attitude that we have to always have a smile n our faces because someone always has it worse. Would we tell someone not to be happy because someone else has a better life? Never! Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084065752889482895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-27562872993105081152013-07-08T20:24:23.440+03:002013-07-08T20:24:23.440+03:00Anonymous, I understand exactly where you are comi...Anonymous, I understand exactly where you are coming from.<br /><br />Amy, thank you for showing the rest of the people commenting here how to respond with grace.Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07975218676846369130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-8493209082844952742013-07-08T19:01:08.134+03:002013-07-08T19:01:08.134+03:00Anonymous--I hear what you are saying. My post wa...Anonymous--I hear what you are saying. My post was not directed towards every individual American. I do understand that many have lived "Job-like" lives that are terrible and full of tragedy. No question. I also did not intend to communicate that Americans are all selfish, self-centered, or get annoyed when their product is not available in the grocery store. I only meant to communicate what I have learned by living in Africa 10 years, and what I see in my own heart. These are simply general observations as I compare the two places. Amy Medinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02445986974714298954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-36347143786814071432013-07-08T17:19:45.289+03:002013-07-08T17:19:45.289+03:00Beautifully written and an excellent reminder. Pr...Beautifully written and an excellent reminder. Praying for Anonymous who sounds bitter and missed the point entirely. Americans are blessed even IN our problems. Our first world problems are embarrassing in comparison to what others live with daily in other places. No one is suggesting not attempting to right the wrongs we encounter here in America. The suggestion is to put those problems in perspective and allow that to produce great gratitude.mikelynn91https://www.blogger.com/profile/05917748337052379379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-63849980942668141092013-07-08T15:43:17.413+03:002013-07-08T15:43:17.413+03:00Thank you for a beautiful reminder of the importan...Thank you for a beautiful reminder of the importance of gratitude and responsibility. Your words are well-spoken...to whom much is given, much is required. The challenge for us in middle America is to recognize the responsibility that comes with inordinate blessing!<br />We have served on many short-term missions projects in Ethiopia and our son is there now for the summer working on a clean water project. <br />I have only a taste of what you have described, but I fully recognize the wisdom of your words.<br />As the saying goes, "Don't just count your blessings, share them!"<br />Be encouraged. Your words have been used to challenge and encourage us to think and act.<br />Blessings! Julie Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17559911539215643448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-14546304317455432402013-07-08T14:32:24.124+03:002013-07-08T14:32:24.124+03:00Excellent message that drives me to appreciate all...Excellent message that drives me to appreciate all of the blessings that God has given me in spite of my daily, middle class, (albeit very real) problems. I just think that the naysayer earlier read in in the wrong spirit. I believe they probably benefitted from it as well, regardless of their comment :) Thanks again for the great message!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-28066306004103631672013-07-08T14:23:44.734+03:002013-07-08T14:23:44.734+03:00Dear Anonymous: obviously this message didn't...Dear Anonymous: obviously this message didn't apply to you then, you little Pharisee. Sometimes the message isn't all about you. Relax.Gaga, the Imperfect But So Blessed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02574533572118088873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-52482140946579549162013-07-08T14:23:14.448+03:002013-07-08T14:23:14.448+03:00Dear Anonymous: obviously this message didn't...Dear Anonymous: obviously this message didn't apply to you then, you little Pharisee. Sometimes the message isn't all about you. Relax.Gaga, the Imperfect But So Blessed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02574533572118088873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-54926222578844445742013-07-08T07:38:24.992+03:002013-07-08T07:38:24.992+03:00Statements like this are really frustrating. I fi...Statements like this are really frustrating. I find it offensive that you assume that because I'm a middle class American means that I get unreasonably upset when the grocery store is out of the brand of cream cheese that I want.<br /><br />Because I have a middle class friend who lives in a "safe" neighborhood in the States whose house was broken into twice in less than three weeks. His remaining possessions literally will fit in a suitcase - with room to spare. I grew up in town where Christian organizations were banned from school (but those of other religions were allowed). My mother's life was in jeopardy when I was born - and several days after. My aunt lost two children. I work at a hospital where I encounter many poor families with health insurance - and just as many middle class families without it. There are multiple public school districts in my state that are no longer K-12 because they don't have the money to fund all 13 grades.<br /><br />Yes, sometimes middle class Americans are selfish - but so are poor Americans, wealthy Americans and even individuals who live in other countries. Living in a country other than the States does not make one immune from selfishness.<br /><br />I know someone who owed $25,000 in student loans. He received a check from a friend who never attended college who felt God leading him to give his entire savings to pay off the first person's student loans. As someone with student loans myself, it can be easy to think "why me?" But I also know that God has a different path for everyone and something that might seem like an "easy" burden for me, might be extremely difficult for someone else. So, I try not to judge (but admit that I'm not always successful, as I am human).<br /><br />There's also a danger in complacency. If Americans were satisfied with simply having a better crude birth rate than other countries, my father would have died when I was 7, because treatment that ended up curing his cancer never would have been discovered. Even as it is, I have a friend whose father died last year because we still don't have cures for all illnesses.<br /><br />I believe middle class Americans should try to be grateful for what they have and realize that there are those who are less fortunate than them. But I also believe that they have many valid concerns and appreciate their drive to make the world a better place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5118517190489901866.post-25996475188967282572013-07-08T04:19:52.388+03:002013-07-08T04:19:52.388+03:00Wow...I think that we live in Disneyland, don'...Wow...I think that we live in Disneyland, don't we? <br />BabuBabunoreply@blogger.com